Glasses



June 23, 1936.

INVENTOR HewBMcMILrdO Patented June 2 3, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GLASSES Hew B. McMurdo, Atlanta, Ga.

Application January 15,1935, Serial No. 1,863

' 6 Claims. (01. 88-41) This invention relates to apparatus for the use of golfers, and includes means whereby the player is enabled to line or groove his stroke, with attendant benefits to his game.

In golf, a correct stroke is very important. Once the player has mastered the fundamentals of stance, grip and swing, his progress in the game will depend largely upon his ability to reproduce the correct swing, time after time, until the muscles, together with all other anatomical structures concerned, become co-ordinated in the production of a sound swing. When this condition has been brought about, the stroke is said to be grooved. Many golfers play over long periods of time without marked improvement, and the main reason for this lies in the fact that their strokes, without their knowing it, are seldom made twice alike; and hence cannot become grooved. Experts, on the contrary, through years of painstaking practice and study, have learned to make their strokes alike, and when this state is achieved, successful golf is the reward.

Of prime importance in securing a sound golf stroke is the factor of balance. Once started in the right line; the club will tend to hold its course until outside forces cause a change, which forces may comprise anything that tends to throw the player off balance. In this regard, the golfers head is particularly significant. The average human head weighs from 10 to 14 pounds, and during the golf swing it occupies a position at the top of a concave are, which fact at once makes apparent its importance as a balancing agent during the golf stroke, any head movement out of proper position resulting at once in unbalancing the remainder of the body, with attendant disastrous effects upon the swing. In fact, it may be taken as established that no golf swing can be well-balanced unless the head remains in its proper planes through-out the stroke.

An object of this invention is to provide a device to maintain the head in correct position during the golf stroke.

A still further object is to provide a device of this type, which is efiicient and adapted for the purposes intended, without presenting a fantastic appearance such as to subject the wearer to embarrassment.

Another object is to provide a special lens in a device of this type, the construction of which makes possible the functioning of said device in an efflcient and satisfactory manner.

A further object is to provide in a device of the foregoing type, means for adapting it to individuals of varying ages and golfing characteristics.

These and other objects made apparent throughout the further description of my invention are accomplished by means of my groovedstroke golf lens, which invention is by way of an improvement upon the device disclosed in my copending application for Letters Patent of the United States bearing Serial No. 665,292 and filed April 10, 1933, which has become Patent Number Reference is now had to the drawing herein, in which: I 1

Fig. 1 is a. view in perspective of a preferred form of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a rear view of a modification of my invention, said modification being conceived with certain practical considerations in view, which will be made more clear elsewhere herein.

Fig. 3 is a rear view of another modification of my invention, illustrating certain features additional to those disclosed in Fig. 1.

Like numbers indicate corresponding parts;

through-out the various figures of the drawing.

Referring now to the drawing, Fig. 1, my device comprises two lenses held in operative alignment as by a frame 10. This frame may resemble the shell frames frequently associated with a pair of spectacles, or may consist simply of a bridge and lens straps as in the case of so-called rimless glasses. Temple bars H serve to keep the device in position on the face of a wearer.

Both lenses of my invention are preferably larger than those of ordinary glasses, and the right lens l2 and the left lens l3 are colored, except for a small clear segment in either or both of said lenses, the purpose and function of which clear space is discussed at length elsewhere herein. Both lenses are transparent, and the color thereof (indicated by the shade lines on the drawing) may be of any desired nature. experiments having shown, however, that an amber hue for said lenses is ideal, although any other tint may be resorted to in attaining the functions explained herein.

Special attention is now directed to the left lens l3 of my invention. For reasons of commercial expediency it has been found desirable to make both lenses of celluloid, although any other suitable transparent material may be employed for this purpose. In the drawing, it is assumed that said lenses are fabricated of celluloid, and lens l3 may be identical with lens II, with the exception that it has a small rectangular segment or section I cut from its face at a predetermined point near its outer edge, which segment may remain entirely clear and open in accomplishing the purposes of the instant invention; or may be filled or covered with a clear substance or material of a contrasting color to the surrounding lens surface." When glass is employed in the making of the lenses, and if desired, either or both of the lenses may be ground to correct any weaknesses of the users eyes.

Fig. 2 illustrates a modification of my device, the general structure contemplated being the same as that illustrated in Fig. 1, with the exception that the left lens I3 is provided with a larger clear cut-out segment I; and to maintain said lens in frame III, a supporting rim I6 is formed and retained when segment I5 is cut from the Fig. 3 illustrates another modification, in which the right lens is diiferent from that shown in Fig. 1, in that it has situated to the left side thereof and in its corner, a cut-out portion or section II; and segment I4 is moved nearer the center of lens I3, the purpose of which construction is hereafter explained.

. The foregoing arrangement of lenses will be reversed when the device is fabricated for use by a left-handed golfer; or for certain other purposes, particularly in the case of the modification illustrated in Fig. 2, as is explained fully in another part of this specification.

In operation, my invention works as follows: Assuming for the purposes of illustration that the color of the lenses is amber and that the golfer has adjusted the glasses upon his face much in the same manner as he would adapt a pair of spectacles thereto, it will be apparent that any white object he sees while looking directly ahead will appear as amber-colored. This is because both eyes are conveying visual impressions to the, brain, and both eyes are viewing the object through amber-colored glasses. When, however, the chin (and head) is turned to the right until a given object is seen only through the clear segment I4 or I5 of a lens, the object will appear in its natural color. This is because the left eye only is viewing the object, since the rays from said object to the right eye have been cut off by the wearer's nose.

As the golfer assumes his stance, he faces the ball, said ball appearing to him as amber-colored. Before he commences his pivot, however, he slowly turns his head to the right until the ball is seen as white, he now being looking at the ball through the left eye, and through the clear segment I4 (or I5) of the lens, the nose having cut off the amber light from the right. Having turned his head to the right as aforesaid, the golfer now finds his head and body in proper place for a perfect golf stroke, the position of I4 having been predetermined so that when the glasses are in place and the ball seen as white there-through, the head of the golfer must of necessity be in correct alignment. As long as this status is maintained, he sees the ball as white, but the instant his head is out of position and the swing jumps the groove, the player is notified and made aware of this by seeing the ball through the amber glass, this change in color at once apprising him of his incorrect posture.

With the foregoing guide, the golfer is enabled to mechanically hold his stroke in the groove, the correct position of the head throughout the stroke operating as a balancing or gov- 2,045,e99 f "T "1 erning element for the entire stroke, which induced position results in a constant or fixed point for each swing and insures substantially the same swing each time. Repeated practice with the correct swing will result in grooving the stroke, with 6 attendant advantages as aforesaid.

Some golfers desire a larger area through which to view the ball, and to meet this demand it has been found expedient to cut out from lens I3 a segment I5 of substantially greater area 10 than I4 (Fig. 2), the device when so constructed being used in the same manner as indicated for the construction illustrated in Fig. 1, the change in visual impression referred to being achieved in the usual manner with a turning of the head of thewearer of the glasses. When so formed, it

'has been found advisable to retain a narrow rim .I6 in connection with lens I3, for the purpose of retaining the lens securely in the frame, such construction being easily provided for when the segment I5 is cut or stamped from the plane surface of said lens. I

Some persons, such as elderly individuals, find it difficult or undesirable to turn the head as far to the right as in the case of the more robust golfer; and again, some few golfers insist upon viewing the ball through both the right and left eyes; and in order that a person of the firstmentioned class may view the ball through the clear segment of the glass without turning his head to the extent found suitable for the ordinary player, orthat a golfer who must view the ball through both eyes may use my device effectively,

I provide a structure such as that illustrated in Fig. 3, in which segment I 4 is moved somewhat nearer the center of lens I3, and a clear segment I! is formed near the left side or corner of lens I2, said section preferably being formed with a retaining rim I8 similar to I6. An elderly golfer may use a device so constructed without turning his head to the extent required in the case of a structure such as that illustrated in Fig. l, by virtue of clear space I4 being nearer the center of the lens; while a right-eyed golfer may view the ball through openings I4 and II with the same beneficial results.

From the foregoing it is apparent that I have disclosed a new and useful device whereby a golfer is enabled to mechanically groove his stroke. That my device is simple in operation, economical to manufacture, and constructed along scientific lines and with scientific principles in view.

While I have described my invention primarily in connection with the game of golf, I do not intend tolimit myself in this regard, but intend that my invention shall be held to cover any use wherein said invention or the essence thereof may be found desirable. v For instance, when manufactured in the form suggested in Fig. 2, with both lenses colored except for a clear segment at the outer edge of the right lens, as if intended for use by a left-handed golfer, my invention has been found adapted to the night driving of automobiles, the tinted lenses shutting out to some extent and modifying the bright rays of the lights of an approaching vehicle, and the driver being enabled to get a clear view of the edge of the road by turning his eyes slightly to the right, thereby viewing the right side of the road through the clear segment of the lens, an excellent guide being thus provided which will enable a driver to keep closely to his side of the road without confusion or inconvenience caused by the lights of another vehicle.

has,

When so constructed for this purpose, segment I5 is preferably of somewhat greater area than that suggested in the drawing.

In connection with temple bars II, it is to be noted that said bars should be mounted at a point and on a plane above the center of the lenses, this high mounting being resorted to in order that these elements may in no way interfere with the vision of the user. If desired, other conventional means such as a pince-nez arrangement may be employed to keep the device in position before the eyes of a user.

It is to be noted that any arrangement of lenses or structure of such in a device of the foregoing type, in which a change of color or color intensity will accompany a movement of the head from a given position, is to be considered as within the scope of this invention, such constituting the essence thereof. Again, the attachment of supplementary colored elements to the plane surface or surfaces of clear lenses, as by the use of colored cellophane or similar transparent material having a cut-out area or areas for the purpose of producing a change of color or color intensity with a movement of the head of a wearer from a given position, is likewise to be taken as within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

While I have illustrated and described herein a preferred form of my device and suggested several modifications, I do not intend to thereby limit myself specifically to such forms, but intend that I shall be accorded a reasonable range of equivalents in keeping with a fair interpretation of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device for enabling a golfer to maintain his head in a correct position through-out the golf stroke, thereby producing a grooved stroke with regularity, said device comprising a pair of colored transparent celluloid lenses, a rectangular cut-out clear portion near the outside edge of the left lens, said portion providing a space through which a golfer may view a golf ball when his head is in proper position, and means to support said lenses in operative position before the eyes of a user.

2. A device for enabling a golfer to maintain his head in a correct position through-out the golf stroke, thereby producing a grooved stroke with regularity, said device comprising a pair of transparent celluloid lenses, both of said lenses being colored, a small clear portion near the outside edge of one of said lenses, and means to support said lenses in operative position before the eyes of a user.

3. A device of the character described comprising a pair of transparent lenses, one of said lenses being colored, and the other lens having a colored segment nearest the inner side thereof, and a clear segment near the outside edge thereof, said clear segment providing a space through which a golfer may view a golf ball when his head is in proper position; and means to support said lenses in operative position before the eyes of a user.

4. A device of the character described comprising a pair of transparent lenses, one of said lenses being colored and the other having a colored segment and a clear segment, the colored segment being nearest the inner side of said lens, and means to support said lenses in operative position before the eyes of a user.

5. A device for enabling a golfer to maintain his head in a correct position through-out the golf stroke thereby producing a grooved stroke with regularity, said device comprising a pair of colored transparent lenses, a rectangular clear portion near the outside edge of the left lens, a clear portion near the inside edge of the right lens, either of said portions providing a space through which a golfer may view a golf ball when his head is in a proper position, and means to support said lenses in operative position before the eyes of a user.

6. A device for enabling a golfer to maintain his head in a correct position through-out the golf stroke thereby producing a grooved stroke with regularity, said device comprising a pair of transparent, colored lenses, 9. clear portion near the outside edge of one of the lenses, said portion providing a space through which a golfer may view a golf ball when his head is in proper position, and means to support said lenses in operative position before the eyes of a user.

HEW B. McMURDO. 

